Aie spinning top



(No Model.)

, L. LEEB.

AIR SPINNING TOP.

No. 466,172. Patented-Dec. 29, 1891.

/N VENTOH W/T/VESSES:

ATTORNEYS UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LEO. LEEB, OF ALINGSAES, SWEDEN, ASSIGNOR 'lO ALFRED LEEB, OF NEW' YORK, N. Y.

AIR SPINNING-TOP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 466,172, dated December 29, 1891.

Application filed June 13, 1891. Eterial No. 396,200. (No model.)

T0 at whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, LEO LEEB, a subject of the King of Sweden, residing at Alingsaes, Sweden, have invented a new and Improved Air Spinning-Top, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

The invention relates to toys; and its object is to provide a new and improved air spinning-top which is simple and durable in construction, affords great amusement by enabling the operator to propel awheel into the air to a considerable height, the wheel revolving in opposite directions in its upward and downward movement.

The invention consists of certain parts and details and combinations of the same, as will be hereinafter fully described, and then pointed out in the claims.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

Figurel is a side elevation of the improvement, with parts in section. Fig. 2 is a sectional side elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the handle, with parts in section; and Fig. at is a plan view of the propeller-wheel.

The improved air spinning-top is provided with ahandle A, on one end of which is formed a bearing B, containing a central aperture 0 and formed on top and bottom with two plates D and D, each having a central opening in line with the central opening 0. The plates D and D are preferably made of metal and form the bearing proper for the lower part F of a shaft F, supporting at its upper end the propeller-wheel G. The latter is formed with a rim G, preferably made of a heavy metal, and propeller-blades G set at an angle and cut from a single sheet-metal blank, as indicated in Fig. at, the central part G being in the shape of a ring and secured by screws or other means to the upper end of the shaft F. A cap F fitsover the ring G and is screwed or otherwise fastened. to a projection extending through the ring from the upper end of the shaft, as is plainly illustrated in Fig. 2.

On the shaft F is formed an annular projection or flange F adapted to rest on the top surface of the bearing-plate D to prevent the shaft from passing too far into the hearing B. Above the flange F the shaft is formed into Etdllllll F on which is adapted to be wound one end of a string H, the other or outer end being provided with a ring I. The lower end of the shaft Fis provided with a conically-shaped tip F preferably made of a heavy metal, so as to hold the shaft F in a vertical position when the propeller-wheel is projected into the air.

On thelower part F of the shaft F is formed an annular groove F adapted to be engaged by a pin J, fitted to slide transversely in the bearing B and secured to the free end of a spring K, fastened to the outside of the bearing B, as is plainly illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3. On the outersurfaceof the free end of the spring K is formed a knob K, adapted to be pressed on by the operator, so as to move the pin J inwardly, the normal position of the latter being out of engagement with the annular groove F.

The device is used as follows: The operator places the propeller-wheel with the lower part of its shaft in to the bearing B, as is illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, and then winds the end of the cord or string H upon the drum part F The operator then takes hold of the handle A with one hand and presses on the knob K, so as to move the pin J inward to engage the annular groove F of the shaft F. The operator then pulls on the ring I, so that the string or cord H unwinds from the drum part- F*, thereby moving the propeller-wheel. The latter remains with its shaft in the bearing B until the string H is completely off the drum part F, at which time the operator releases the pressure on the knob or button K, so that the spring K moves the pin J outward out of engagement with the groove F Therevolving of the propeller-wheel G causes the wings or propeller-blades G to act' on the air, so that the wheel, on the release of the pin J, flies upward into the air to a considerable height. As soon as the force is spent the wheel drops downward, but by the action of the air on the under side of the wings or propeller-blade G causes the latter to revolve in the direction opposite to the oneit had in its upward movement. Thus it will be seen that the propellerwheel spins both in its ascent and descent, but in opposite directions. By the operator ICO pulling with considerable force 011 the string II the wheel may be projected to a considerable height. The weighted tip F holds the shaft of the Wheel in a vertical position in its up and down movements.

Having thus fully described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. The combinatiolnwith the wheel having a shaft, of the handle having a bearing for the shaft and a retaining device permanently mounted on the handle for engagement with the said shaft for holding it in the bearing until released by the operator, substantially as set forth.

The combination, with the wheel and its shaft having an annular groove, of the handle having a bearing to receive the shaft and a retaining device mounted on the handle and adapted to engage the said annular groove to hold the shaft against outward movement until released by the operator, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination, with the wheel and its shaft provided with an annular groove, of a handle having a bearing for the shaft and a transverse pin mounted on the handle and having a spring normally pressing it outward, the inner end of the pin being adapted to be pressed into said groove by the operator, substantially as set forth.

with a handle having a bearing formed with a central opening and bearing-plates, of a shaft mounted to turn in the said bearing and having its lower end weighted, the said shaft being formed with a drum part outside of the bearing, a wheel secured on the upper end of the said shaft and formed with a weighted rim and propeller-blades or wings, a string adapted to be wound on the drum part of the said shaft, and a spring-pressed pin fitted to slide in the said bearing and adapted to engage an annular recess in the said shaft, substantially as shown and described.

5. In a flying toy, the wheel having a shaft provided with an annular groove F, a drum F for the operating-cord above the groove, and a weight F at its lower end, substantially as set forth;

6. In a flying toy, the handle havinga transverse shaft-bearing,a transverse aperture intersecting the said bearing, a pin J in said aperture, and a spring K, secured to the handle and to the pin to press it outward, sub stantially as set forth.

LEO. LEEB. n 5.]

Witnesses: V. HAzsELIM STAD, Takctre Alingsaes, f. (l. Regiment Tait-are.

0. AF DALSTROM,

t. In an air spinning-top, the combination, I fllajor, A ddress, Alingsacs. 

